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Rangers 3, Athletics 2

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Times wires
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Rangers 3, Athletics 2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Ian Kinsler hit a tying home run leading off the eighth and Josh Hamilton followed with another homer two batters later, reducing Texas' magic number to clinch the AL West to three. Texas won its 90th game to match its win total of 2010. The Rangers, closing in on a second straight division title, play Seattle in a three-game series that begins Friday in Arlington.


Wanted: all able bodies

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By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 22, 2011

BROOKSVILLE — Hernando is an hour into a midweek practice when the undersized reinforcements arrive in bright purple jerseys, running past a group of buzzing dragonflies, ready to hit and be hit.

"Spare parts," Leopards coaches jokingly call their junior varsity players.

And Hernando will use all of the extra players it can get.

The Leopards (1-2) are banged up from the top on down heading into tonight's key district opener at Land O'Lakes (1-1).

Scatback Scooter Maner limps on the sidelines after a torn ACL ended his senior season before it began. Star linebacker Darren Hambrick wears a sleeve on the elbow he bruised in Week 1.

Second-team all-North Suncoast defensive lineman Malcolm Hudson and star fullback Jeremiah Jackson have been limited at times with ankle injuries.

"One man down," junior Tyrail Hawkins said. "We've all got to man up."

That includes spare parts from the junior varsity team.

Freshman John Bronson rose from the JV squad to fill out a depleted linebacker corps. He's sixth on the team with 13 tackles.

Undersized senior Andrew Tumaniszwill (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) has become a fixture of the offensive line. Junior C.J. Clark bounced back from what could have been a career-ending ankle injury to become a starter at defensive end.

"He's giving it everything he's got," Hernando assistant Tom Bronson said.

The Leopards' biggest surprise has been running back Marqui Redding.

The 6-foot senior was initially viewed as a tight end or defensive lineman, but injuries in the backfield forced him to carry the ball. He dominated in Week 1, rushing for 191 yards and four scores in a win over East Ridge.

Redding averages 95 rushing yards per game, and his five rushing touchdowns are tied for most on the team.

"I just had to step up and help out my brothers," Redding said.

The biggest blow has been the absence of head coach John Palmer. The 1983 Hernando graduate has led the Leopards' resurgence, but health issues have sidelined him for most of the fall. Players call or text him regularly, but Hambrick said it's not the same.

"It really is hard," said Hambrick, a Division I-A prospect. "Really we're just fighting for him right now."

The Leopards are healing slowly. Jackson's ankle seemed fine in practice, Hambrick attacked the ball with no signs of injury, and Hudson blew up his offensive line at times.

Even if Hernando isn't 100 percent, it won't get much sympathy from its opponent tonight. The Gators were missing a handful of starters in a Week 2 loss to Pasco but could get a boost this week if four-star tight end Kent Taylor returns from a broken hand.

"Every team has that," Tom Bronson said. "Sometimes it happens more than others. That's why it's a team sport."

Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@sptimes.com.

Captains corner: Game fish changing habits as water cools

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By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent
Thursday, September 22, 2011

What's hot: With water temperatures cooling a little, fall fishing patterns are starting to emerge. Inshore game fish will start holding on spoil islands and deeper mangrove shorelines. Redfish are schooled up and hit most any bait or lure thrown under a mangrove bush. Spanish mackerel and speckled trout are moving closer to shore.

Live bait as aid: A livewell full of bait is great for finding hidden fish along any given shoreline. Most bait being caught is a little on the small side, so using these as search tools works great. Any mangrove point or oyster bar that has moving water is a good spot to anchor and throw out a few smaller baits to locate fish.

Redfish: There has been an increase of larger redfish from Clearwater north to the Hudson area. On incoming tides, the schools push up on to a shallow flat and feed aggressively on crabs and small pinfish. A tail-hooked shrimp allows anglers to cast ahead of a school without scaring them. Once the tide peaks, cast to any depression or pothole in a shady area along a mangrove shoreline.

Trout and mackerel: Deeper grass flats just inside most passes in north Pinellas are starting to hold good numbers of speckled trout and Spanish mackerel. As long as the tide is moving swiftly, the bite has been on. Small sardines and select-sized shrimp under a cork work in the first few hours of daylight. The mackerel have been crashing schools of small glass minnows. A small silver spoon tossed into the area will draw a strike.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at (727) 439-9017 or at jim@ captainhud.com.

Outdoors news and notes: Estuaries Day cleanup to target Clam Bayou

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By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Making news

Clam Bayou to get aid on Estuaries day

Saturday is Natural Estuaries Day, an annual celebration of areas where rivers meet the sea. In recognition, the nonprofit conservation group Tampa Bay Watch is organizing a cleanup of Clam Bayou (the area around 26th Avenue South and Quincy Street in St. Petersburg) from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers should expect to get dirty as Clam Bayou is a muddy area. For volunteer information, call (727) 867-8166, ext. 233.

Regulations

Scallops going off list, stone crabs on

There are some saltwater fishing openings and closings now that we are headed toward October. There are only a few days left in the scalloping season (open harvest waters are Pasco-Hernando County line to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County). The last day for scalloping is Sunday. After that, the season doesn't normally open again until July 1 of next year. Stone crabs, however, will be in season on Oct. 15, which means the juicy meat will start showing up in local restaurants soon.

For hunters, archery and crossbow seasons open Oct. 15 in Zone B (parts of Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties). Muzzleloading gun season begins Oct. 22 in Zone C (parts of Hernando, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties).

Things to do

Today-Saturday: Florida Aquarium will offer wild dolphin ecotours on Tampa Bay aboard a 72-foot catamaran. Cost: $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and $18 for children. Information: flaquarium.org.

Saturday: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 79 in Tampa will offer a paddle-sport course for kayakers and paddleboarders from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Gandy Boat Ramp in Tampa. Kayak fishing guide Neil Taylor and Russell Farrow of Sweetwater Kayaks will give seminars. Cost: $25 per person. Information: auxpaddlecourse@yahoo.com.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

Solunar table

AM PM major minor major minor

9/23 2:20 8:30 2:40 8:55

9/24 3:10 9:20 3:30 9:45

9/25 4:00 10:05 4:15 10:35

9/26 4:50 10:55 5:05 11:20

9/27 5:35 11:45 5:55 0

9/28 6:25 12:10 6:55 12:45

9/29 7:35 1:20 8:00 1:45

The hook to one conservation group's fishing tournament? Artificial lures only, please

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By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Fishermen love to debate live vs. artificial bait.

Purists, such as Richard Seward, will cast all day with their plugs and jigs, even when the fish aren't biting and the livewell is brimming with succulent scaled sardines.

"The fish are here … the trick is getting them to bite," Seward said as he tossed a jig off the stern.

"That's what you said last time …" Mike Mahoney quipped. But before Mahoney could finish his sentence, a trout that was not much bigger than the minnows in the bait well grabbed the soft-plastic jig and started pulling line.

"Now it's your turn," Mahoney said as he reeled in the fish. His friends, Seward, a fishing guide, and Richard Moore, president of the Tampa Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association, were getting ready for the organization's annual catch-and-release tournament this weekend. Now in its 27th year, the CCA Tampa Chapter's Digital Photo All-Release Challenge usually draws Tampa Bay's top guides and recreational anglers.

The rules are simple. Each angler is given a tackle bag filled with an assortment of artificial lures. Once the fishing starts Saturday, the angler can only use what's in that bag. If they lose the shiny new MirrOlure or D.O.A. shrimp on the first cast, tough luck. They must fish on with another lure.

"People wonder, why enter a tournament to fish against a bunch of guides? They think they can't possibly win," Seward said. "But I will let you in on a little secret. Most guides don't know how to use artificial lures. They all fish with live bait."

And to prove his point, Seward made everybody on his boat fish with the lures that would be available to the tournament anglers. He swore we would catch fish. I believed him. He didn't earn the nickname "Mr. Trout" by snagging sail cats.

In the 1980s, when sportfish were killed by the thousands in gill nets, Seward and fellow members of the Florida Conservation Association (the name was later changed to the Coastal Conservation Association) worked tirelessly to protect and rebuild the dwindling trout, redfish and snook populations. The CCA eventually helped pass a constitutional amendment that banned the nets from inshore waters, which took the pressure off the state's mullet stocks and, in turn, helped all of the major inshore fisheries, including seatrout.

Today, 71 years old and still fishing, Seward isn't much for sharing his battle stories, but he is still as stubborn as ever, even when all he's catching is puny 12-inch trout.

"Now how many is that now, Richard?" Mahoney asked. "I think I've caught five and you've caught one?"

Though Mahoney likes to joke around with this elder statesman of inshore fishing, the Tampa native has nothing but respect for Seward and his contemporaries who launched the modern fisheries conservation movement. "I'm not much for politics," Mahoney said. "But you've got to give those guys a lot of credit."

Mahoney grew up fishing the waters of Tampa Bay. His family has owned and operated Tampa's T.A. Mahoney Co. Inc. Marine Hardware since 1946, the area's longest running marine and tackle supply store.

So it is only fitting that a store that survived five wars and nearly a dozen recessions would get behind a tournament that benefits an organization whose sole purpose is to see that fish stocks survive long after our current economic crisis is just a distant memory.

"We try to help where we can," Mahoney said as he reeled in another fish. "Now, is that my nine to your two?"

Seward didn't answer. I could tell the veteran guide wanted to tell the whippersnapper that he was catching yellow-mouth gator trout when Mahoney, 45, was still crawling around in diapers. But Seward stuck to the game plan, even when it was clear that the artificial lures hadn't caught anything bigger than a baby trout. The tournament rules call for plugs and jigs, and by golly, that is what he would use.

But outdoors writers are a notoriously impatient bunch. A day on the water isn't "good" — strike that, "productive" — unless there is a photo of a big fish to prove it. A good outdoors writer usually resists the urge to pick up a rod until that "photo fish" has been caught, documented and released.

However, after three hours of tiny trout, it was time to call an audible. "I'll take a rod and one of those scaled sardines," I told Seward. That first free-lined baitfish was gobbled up in an instant. "How about a float?" I asked, hooking on another whitebait. One twitch of the bobber to attract the trout's attention and wham! Photo fish right on cue.

"Now we could have done that right away," Seward said. "But I wanted to show you how competitive this tournament is going to be. Only the very best fishermen will have a chance to win."

To register for the CCA Tampa Chapter All-Release Challenge, call (813) 238-2220 or go to CCAFlorida.org. To book a trip with Richard Seward, call (813) 361-8161.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber ready for tough assignment against Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 22, 2011

TAMPA — Bucs veteran CB Ronde Barber acknowledges there likely will be times Sunday when his job will call for him to cover Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez.

It's an unenviable task for anyone, as Gonzalez, in his 15th season, ranks fifth on the NFL's all-time receptions list (1,081), having racked up 11 Pro Bowl selections.

"He's hell to deal with," said Barber, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, also in his 15th season. "As he's gotten older, he's gotten smarter, I think. He definitely runs his routes a little better. He's a great player — the best I've ever played against at the position."

Gonzalez boasts a unique blend of size (6 feet 5, 247 pounds), speed and savvy at the tight end position, and he has fared well against the Bucs over his career: 45 catches for 470 yards in seven games.

Bucs coach Raheem Morris said game situations will dictate how often Barber (5-10, 184) matches up with Gonzalez, most likely in nickel packages or in the red zone. But it won't be a one-man job.

"Gonzalez is a Hall of Fame tight end, and he's going to find a way to get open no matter who I put on him," defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said. "Put a corner on him, put a linebacker, or put (rookie DE Adrian) Clayborn on him, he's going to find a way to get open."

Morris said: "He's going to run his routes, use a legal push-off, and he's going to catch the ball. He's mastered the art. He's the best at what he does."

The Falcons already have a lot of offensive weapons, with All-Pro WR Roddy White, first-round pick WR Julio Jones and All-Pro RB Michael Turner. White said Gonzalez makes them all better.

"It helps tremendously," White said. "Any time you get a guy like that who catches everything and can open up the middle of the field, he demands double coverage and things like that (make it) so much easier to get one-on-ones on the outside."

Blacked out: Tickets still remained for the game, so the Bucs will be blacked out on local TV for the 10th straight regular-season home game.

TALK IT UP: Rookie MLB Mason Foster will be the only voice in the Bucs' defensive huddle against the Falcons.

Foster, who took over the play-calling duties when strongside LB Quincy Black missed the second half of the 24-20 win at Minnesota with an ankle injury, will wear the helmet transmitter if Black doesn't play.

That formula worked at Minnesota as the defense limited the Vikings to 114 yards in the second half with Foster calling the plays.

"Mason will call the plays if Quincy doesn't go," Morris said Thursday. "He's not that deficient. I was just trying to take something off his plate. Mason is sharp, smart. Mason is dying to get the green thing (transmitter) in his helmet anyway. He wants all the information. He's doing well.

"He probably could've done it … from the beginning. I just made it easy for him. He'll play all situations this week. He'll get a chance to be out there in nickel, he'll be in two-minute, he'll be in base."

STEPPING IN: If Black can't play, LB Dekoda Watson welcomes the challenge of making his second NFL start, filling in on the strong side. "It's just an opportunity right now, just got to make the most of it," Watson said. "Coaches are confident enough if Quincy don't make it back, put me in. And as a second-team player, or anybody like that, you've got to step up as a starter. I've got to prepare and go in there and not be a weak link."

Times staff writers Rick Stroud and Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

Recent rivals on top at FedEx finale

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Times wires
Thursday, September 22, 2011

ATLANTA — Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner atop the leaderboard in Atlanta should sound familiar.

Only this was the FedEx Cup finale, not the final major of the year. And they were on East Lake, not 40 minutes up the road at Atlanta Athletic Club.

Bradley, who won the PGA Championship last month in a playoff over Dufner, ran off four birdies on the back nine Thursday for 6-under 64 to build a two-shot lead in the Tour Championship.

Dufner was surprisingly crooked off the tee yet still managed 66 and was tied for second along with Chez Reavie and Luke Donald, the No. 1 player in the world and one of five players in prime position to win the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus.

Bradley and Dufner are in the last group today, and it was hard to ignore the coincidence.

"Yeah, I don't think there's any big surprise," Bradley said. "He likes this grass, too. He likes these courses, and I hope I get to play with him (today). I think that would be a lot of fun."

It would bring back great memories for the rookie Bradley, 26. Not so much for Dufner, who had a four-shot lead at the PGA with three holes left until he made three straight bogeys and wound up losing in a three-hole playoff.

U.S. women favored

DUNSANY, Ireland — The Solheim Cup should be another rout for the Americans, according to the world rankings.

While the United States has seven players ranked in the top 20 to one for Europe — second-ranked Suzann Pettersen — there is another statistic that could speak in the host's favor. The European players have won 12 tournaments this year, while the Americans have won three.

That gives European captain Alison Nicholas hope that her team can prevent a fourth straight victory for the U.S. in the three-day tournament that begins today.

"We've got great strength in depth, and it's a very strong European team," said Nicholas, who also captained Europe in its 2009 loss in Sugar Grove, Ill. "But I would never underestimate the Americans, because on paper in the world rankings, we are the underdogs slightly."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams adjusts to life with more double coverage

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 22, 2011

TAMPA — Mike Williams doesn't need the praise of his opponents to confirm he has built a reputation among NFL defensive coordinators.

That fact is obvious each time the Bucs' second-year receiver tries to escape the two defenders that often shadow him. In a weird way, that's a compliment for a receiver.

After putting together a record-setting debut season in 2010, with a franchise rookie-record 11 touchdowns, stopping Williams is high on an opponent's list of priorities. The result, on Sunday against the Vikings, was Williams finishing with one catch for minus-4 yards.

"When (defenses) go to Cover 2, the corner, instead of dropping down into his zone, he's following me," Williams said. "So, it's like (there's) a safety over the top and the corner's coming, too. Even the ball that I did catch, I got hit by the safety, too. It's always two defenders where I'm at. I just have to adjust to it. Hopefully we keep getting wins and whatever happens, happens."

The Bucs did win Sunday in spite of their featured receiver's lack of big numbers. That's because, even without the ball in his hands, Williams is having an appreciable impact.

For instance, because Williams drew two defenders, other targets were available to quarterback Josh Freeman. Slot receiver Preston Parker had six catches for 98 yards. Tight end Kellen Winslow and flanker Arrelious Benn become threats in single coverage, too.

"I've been saying for two years that we have a good receiving corps," said Williams, who had a 17-yard touchdown against the Vikings negated by a penalty. "If they double one guy, another guy is going to step up."

That said, the Bucs aren't the same team without Williams getting sufficient opportunities. He's too big a part of their offense, catching 65 passes for 964 yards in 2010.

So, offensive coordinator Greg Olson is looking at a number of things to keep defenses guessing, because the Bucs expect other teams to follow the Vikings' blueprint.

Among the options: putting Williams in presnap motion or lining him up in various spots at different times. Also, according to Olson, the plan is to keep Williams and Winslow on opposite sides of the field, thereby forcing the defense to make difficult choices. On Williams' called-back touchdown, for example, the Vikings had opted to double cover Winslow, Olson said.

The coverages, and the Bucs' approach, will vary from week to week.

"Some (teams) are going to challenge Mike (with single coverage), and it's going to be up to him to win," coach Raheem Morris said. "Some people are going to try to contain Mike, and then you have to try to move him around to different spots on the field. … It's about getting him open, getting him more space and more opportunities.

"Then, at the same time, you might sometimes want to put him in one spot, let other guys do what they have to do and let the system work."

Then there's always going to be the occasional jump ball that Williams and Freeman combined on so often last season. Williams is adamant he can come down with a majority of them, even against two defenders.

"I feel like I'm going to be 90 percent on opportunity balls," Williams said. "I tell Josh to go ahead and put it up. Throw right over his head, and I'll go up and get it."

And Williams is having an effect in the running game by throwing downfield blocks. One helped pave a path for LeGarrette Blount's momentum-shifting, third-quarter touchdown against Minnesota.

Asked about it, Williams' face lights up. The satisfaction almost makes up for the lack of catches … almost.

"It's only frustrating when you lose," he said. "When you get a win, it's like, 'Hey, whatever. I blocked great in the running game, so I'll put that in my stats.' That's my personal high this week, getting those corners and safeties out of there."


Tampa Bay Rays will be remembered for what they do in final week

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By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Darn the Rays.

They made you care.

They have made you angry, and they have made you swear, and they have left you grumpy. Your hands are shaking, and your blood pressure is up and you feel as if it were you, not just them, that has been mugged in New York. They have made you grind your teeth, and they have kept you up nights, and they have driven you so crazy that the next pitch you see may send your remote control flying toward the screen.

Now, it is time for them to win.

Otherwise, no one in Tampa Bay may fully recover.

This is no time for reflection. Yeah, yeah, the Rays did a fine job getting themselves back into contention, and they never said die. We have covered that. Blah, blah, they have made the season interesting, and they are no longer lost. Later, when things are calmer and there are no more eighth innings to suffer, we will appreciate it again. Put me down for a high-five in, say, November.

Now, it is time for a hero.

After all, no one is going to remember a near-historic journey unless it ends with a footprint on the moon.

Yes, this is a lot to ask. There are six games to go, and despite losing three of four in New York, the Rays still have a pulse. After finally stopping the bleeding in Thursday night's 15-8 victory over the Yankees, the Rays are two games behind in the AL wild-card standings as Toronto comes to town. This is no time for silliness. Or, for that matter, J.P. Howell.

That said, you can't help but think about how much better off the Rays would be if they could have gotten one more win in New York. Maybe two. That's what a pennant race is. These days, even winning comes with frustration.

All of this noise is terrific, of course. It is the sound of baseball that counts, of teams that matter, of a season that is headed toward an exciting ending. It is great that, as a community, we have roughly 4 million people who are, at this exact minute, wondering what the hell Joe Maddon was thinking.

In other words, Tampa Bay is at full frenzy. This is the Rays' first pennant race from behind (in 2008 and 2010, they were fighting for the East Division lead, but they weren't in real danger of missing the playoffs in September). The pressure is building, and fans who declared the season dead long ago are back, and every stranded runner brings locals closer to a room with rubber walls.

The local fans, reawakened and reinvigorated, want this postseason. They don't want to talk about a nice pennant race; they want to win it. They don't want to talk about a nice run; they want to race past Boston.

Fair or not, this season will be remembered largely for the week to come. Ask yourself: If the Rays finish shy of the postseason, will you remember a resilient team that performed beyond its expectations, beyond its flaws, beyond its budget? Or will you remember it for not seizing an opportunity? Will you remember coming back or falling short?

Better yet, will you remember it as an unlikely playoff team?

The truth of it is the odds have been against the Rays all along, and the odds are against them now. On the other hand, the latest weather reports suggests that it is raining Red Sox. Boston is plunging downward like a falling weather satellite, and their fans can't boo loudly enough. Put it this way: If the Rays do indeed pull this off, they need to thank the Red Sox for playing their part.

One week to go, and you can say this about the Rays' chance of reaching the postseason: They have one. On the other hand, who cares about the explorers who almost discovered the New World, and who cares about someone who was this close to discovering the internet? As long as the Rays are this close, they might as well win it.

If that is going to happen, someone — maybe a few someones — needs to make a memory. Someone needs to get hot. Someone needs to take a bat to the odds.

Remember 2008, when Dan Johnson took a cab from nowhere, stepped out and hit a dramatic home run against the Red Sox? Yeah, like that. Remember Dioner Navarro's bases-loaded single a week later? Remember David Price adding juice to the Rays pitching down the stretch?

This time, someone else needs to lead the charge. Maybe Evan Longoria, who has hit .284 with 12 homers and 35 RBIs during the Rays' 40-game charge. Maybe Desmond Jennings, the marvelous rookie. Maybe Casey Kotchman or B.J. Upton or Johnny Damon. Maybe James Shields or Price or, considering Thursday night's performance, Matt Moore.

At this point, everyone is a candidate. The pitching has to stay sharp, and the defense has to stay crisp, and a few more bases-loaded hits wouldn't hurt.

Down deep, everyone knows that it is good that this team has made a season matter until its final week. The Rays have the community now. Their hands are around Tampa Bay's collective heart, and they can lift it up, or they can squeeze it until it breaks. There is no middle ground.

Win the wild card, and a lot of people around here are going to smile.

Lose, and they may wreck someone's health.

Undrafted free agent Cory Conacher in mix for roster spot with Tampa Bay Lightning

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 22, 2011

BRANDON — By the time Lightning left wing Cory Conacher got off the ice Wednesday in Orlando, he had about 50 Twitter, text and Facebook messages waiting for him.

There were more, he said, by the time he woke up Thursday.

Scoring your first NHL goal in your first NHL game, as Conacher did in Tampa Bay's preseason loss to the Blues, will do that. Having the coach say you are in the mix to win a roster spot didn't hurt, either.

"It's incredible," Conacher said. "I can't explain it. It's something I'll always remember."

But as exciting as the situation is — Conacher, 21, an undrafted free agent signed to a minor-league contract and in his first NHL camp, forcing the Lightning to take notice — the Burlington, Ontario, native knows this is no time to get ahead of himself or to read press clippings.

"I'm still trying to make a name for myself," Conacher said Thursday at the Ice Sports Forum and added, "I've always been humble. My parents always taught me that. I'm not a guy to spread the word myself, but obviously you see it. You try not to get your head too big."

That said, "As long as I skate hard and do my things, I think it's going to be hard for (the Lightning) to turn me down."

Conacher instantly realized how that sounded.

"But I'd enjoy playing in Norfolk, too," he said of the team's AHL affiliate. "Just being in this system is incredible."

This is a big weekend for Conacher, who plays tonight against the Panthers in Tampa Bay's only preseason game at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

The team will make major cuts Sunday, so tonight's game and Saturday's at Florida might be the last chances to impress.

Though Conacher's speed and offensive instincts are evident, more impressive for coach Guy Boucher is his defensive awareness, especially his willingness to back-check.

"He's proving he can play," Boucher said. "He's adapting every day. Usually when guys adapt that quick, there's a lot more coming. But he has to keep showing he can be reliable to be put on the ice on the NHL level."

Conacher hasn't come completely out of nowhere.

He had a successful four seasons at Division I Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., from where he graduated with a finance degree and 12 school records, including 62 goals, 12 winners and 147 points. He also is a distant relative of Hall of Famers Charlie and Lionel Conacher.

But he is small — 5 feet 8, 175 pounds — which probably is why he was not drafted, though he is about the same size as Marty St. Louis.

"Now he's with an organization that believes in what small guys can do," Canisius coach Dave Smith said. "He goes to the dirty areas, to the corners. He battles. He does whatever the situation calls for."

Conacher has Type I diabetes. He checks his blood sugar before games and between periods, and takes insulin whenever he eats, using a pump about the size of an MP3 player that he attaches with a needle to a port in his left hip.

"It's all about eating right and getting enough sleep," Conacher said of dealing with his condition.

As for what he's dealing with at camp, "It's been an awesome experience. Whatever happens, happens. I'll go wherever they want me to"

Exactly the right message.

NOTES: The camp roster was reduced to 53 as 2011 first-round draft pick Vladislav Namestnikov was returned to juniors. "He's quick enough and smart enough," general manager Steve Yzerman said. "He just needs more time and physical development." … Yzerman said he did not believe defenseman Mattias Ohlund will face supplemental discipline for his elbow on Blues right wing Ryan Reaves for which Ohlund received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

Coordinator Charlie Weis wants more out of Florida Gators offense

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 22, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Among SEC teams, Florida's offense is ranked among the upper half in the major categories: points per game (fifth), rushing yards per game (fourth), passing yards per game (fifth) and total yards per game (fourth). And the No. 15 Gators are undefeated heading into Saturday's game at Kentucky.

But offensive coordinator Charlie Weis isn't celebrating.

"Actually, I'm pretty disappointed," Weis said. "Am I content that we've been able to move the ball pretty consistently in the first three games? Yes, but I think anyone who really is meticulous in preparation at this stage of the season finds a lot of faults in things we've done. I think we can get a lot better on offense than we are right now."

Florida has not shown a power running game. Running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps and all-purpose player Trey Burton have nearly as many combined catches (24) and receiving yards (331) as the seven receivers (28 for 365). And the Gators have scored only nine touchdowns among 16 possessions inside the red zone.

Yet getting better does not necessarily mean doing things differently. Coach Will Muschamp said the Gators are content to go with what's working right now.

"I think you … take what the defense is giving you," Muschamp said. "What we've been doing has been working against the soft zone. We would love to throw nine routes every snap if we could."

For now, opponents seem content with heavy coverage downfield, as if daring the Gators to let Demps and Rainey run free. They have combined for 72 carries for 469 yards and four touchdowns.

"They're in the game plan and everything, but we take what the defense gives us," quarterback John Brantley said. "That's one of the things Coach Weis stresses to me. We try to get everyone involved as much as we can. We're just going to take what the defense gives us. And if that means checking down every throw, then that's what it is."

Weis' disappointment aside, it's still an improvement from last season. Going up-tempo to begin games, the Gators have scored on their first possession in each one and have 33 first-quarter points.

Compare that with last season, when the Gators scored on their first possession just three times all season and scored just 56 points in first quarters.

"The philosophy of the offense is you throw it to what the coverage dictates you throw it to," said Weis, who scripts the game's first 12-24 plays. "We never believe that you take one guy and say we're going to throw it to him 15 times in a game. Now sometimes the way you play and what they're calling, that's what ends up happening. But you don't go into a game saying, 'Hey we're going to throw to him this many times.'

"In that first game, (Florida Atlantic was) playing a soft cover (zone). And (Brantley's) looking vertical down the field, and they are saying go ahead, throw it to Rainey in the flat. So we threw it to Rainey in the flat."

Weis said third-down efficiency (31 percent), turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) and penalties (seven last week) and the red zone offense are major concerns.

What is not a concern, he said, is Brantley.

The senior is 47-of-72 for 637 yards (fourth in the SEC at 212.3 per game) and three touchdowns. Weis said it's a testament to Brantley's maturity at the position.

"All quarterbacks want to throw the ball down the field," Weis said. "But to have the patience to not throw it down the field when the defense is saying, 'Go ahead, we'll give you this, but we won't give you that,' that's a very strong positive."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

Northeast faces more trouble

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Three days after being fined by the Florida High School Athletic Association for using an ineligible football player, Northeast High will face more fines and could have to forfeit two victories after it was discovered the same player was in uniform but did not play in two other regular-season games.

Lorenzo Mitchell played on special teams for the Vikings in last week's loss to Boca Ciega, though he did not have proof of his supplemental insurance verified online, which is required. Northeast athletic director Greg Zornes said Mitchell played in only one game and the infraction was reported Monday to the FHSAA. The fine is $2,500 but Zornes said that could be reduced.

Game film provided to the St. Petersburg Times also shows Mitchell was on the sideline in a game jersey in the season-opening victory over Dixie Hollins. He also was on the sideline in full uniform during Northeast's victory over Anclote in Week 2.

The FHSAA 2011-12 football manual says a player dressed in any part of the uniform worn for that contest with the exception of a cap is defined as having participated. Any member school that allows a student to participate in violation of the regulations will be held guilty of using an ineligible student and subject to penalties.

FHSAA bylaws also state that if an ineligible student is inadvertently or intentionally allowed to participate, the contest will be automatically forfeited.

FHSAA spokesman Corey Sobers said in an e-mail Thursday afternoon that Northeast had reported the ineligible player from the Boca Ciega game and was subsequently fined. But Sobers said Northeast had not yet reported any infraction from the Dixie Hollins or Anclote games. Phone calls and text messages to Zornes to find out if Northeast planned to report the most recent infractions were not returned.

The Vikings are on administrative probation in wrestling for using an ineligible player.

Against Boca Ciega, Mitchell was injured and taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was treated for back spasms.

The Times initially reported the injured player was Mike Murphy, who is academically ineligible. Murphy was listed as No. 34 on the roster, the jersey number assigned to Mitchell for the Boca Ciega game. Mitchell was not on the Vikings' roster for that game.

On Monday, coach Mike Jalazo tried to clarify the issue, saying the injured player was Mitchell, not Murphy. He also said Mitchell was eligible.

Initially, Jalazo was emphatic that Mitchell was not on the sideline for the Dixie Hollins and Anclote games, saying the No. 34 jersey was given to either a junior varsity player or a water boy.

On Thursday, Jalazo admitted in a prepared statement that the player was Mitchell.

"… To clarify all the rumors — Lorenzo Mitchell played in the Boca Ciega game but was not eligible; Lorenzo Mitchell DID NOT play in the Anclote game, but was dressed on the sideline; Lorenzo Mitchell DID NOT play in the Dixie Hollins game, but may have been in a jersey and shorts doing water, etc.," Jalazo said in the statement. "… All of this can be verified by film, which we are glad to provide."

Jalazo said he doesn't believe his team will have to forfeit the Dixie Hollins game because Mitchell was in a jersey and shorts on the sideline. He acknowledges Mitchell was ineligible and in full uniform for the Anclote game.

"I would hope some consideration would be given to the game on the field where an ineligible player DID NOT PLAY, but was inappropriately dressed when considering an automatic forfeit," Jalazo said in the statement.

But Michael Colby, director of eligibility for the FHSAA, reiterated the policy in the manual.

"If a player is in a jersey that is the same color as his school for that contest, even if he or she is in shorts on the sideline, that is considered as having participated in that contest," Colby said.

The Vikings will go to 0-3 if they have to forfeit games, none against district opponents.

"I am the head football coach, and I am ultimately responsible for eligibility of the players on my team," Jalazo said in the statement. "… I am willing to accept any fine, suspension required for this error. I would hope that the players on our team do not have to accept a forfeit for the mistakes on the coaches that allowed an ineligible player to be dressed but NOT PLAY on our sideline."

Tampa Bay Rays feel they have to win all six of their games to make the playoffs

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 22, 2011

NEW YORK — Now comes the even harder part.

Having battled to get this close, the Rays head home for the final six games of the season knowing they pretty much have to win them all to have a shot of making up the two games they are behind the AL wild-card-leading Red Sox.

OF Matt Joyce and 3B Evan Longoria were talking before Thursday's game and pretty much came to the conclusion that became a point of conversation around the clubhouse.

"I think we have a really good shot,'' Joyce said. "We came in here before the game and we're like, 'You know what? Let's just win every one. Let's just win the rest of them and see what happens.' "

Manager Joe Maddon said by his math, the Rays have to win at least five of six, and probably all six. While the Rays are playing the Blue Jays then the Yankees (whom the Rays are hoping will be more concerned with setting themselves up for the playoffs), the Red Sox play at the Yankees (where the natural rivalry takes over) and at the Orioles, who just beat them three of four.

"Boston playing Baltimore in Baltimore, that's not going to be easy,'' Maddon said.

BACKED UP: RHP Jeff Niemann said upper-back soreness was the reason he was pushed back from starting Thursday, but he had no concerns about being ready to go Saturday: "I'm going out there, period. That's gonna happen."

Niemann missed six weeks earlier this season with a lower-back strain. He said the new soreness wasn't a factor in him pitching only five innings Saturday, but it became an issue the next day: "I didn't feel quite right after the game, and it didn't recover as well as we have in the past. It's not anything."

CLOSING TIME: RHP Kyle Farns­worth said he hoped to be available for late-inning duty tonight after coming through Wednesday's 45-pitch test of his right elbow feeling good. "No soreness when I woke up today, which is good, I think," said Farnsworth, who last pitched Sept. 10.

FIT TO BE TIED: If the Rays end up tied with either the Red Sox or Angels for the AL wild-card spot, they have the tiebreaker over both and would host a one-game playoff Thursday. If all three tie, there would be two playoff games. The Rays would be the top seed based on that tiebreaker and have the choice of playing in the first game and potentially hosting both, or taking a bye and playing only the second game but on the road. (For more, see tampabay.com/blogs/rays)

HOT STUFF: Joyce admitted he might have made contact with home-plate umpire Brian Knight during his final-out outburst Wednesday night but said it was incidental and does not expect to be fined or suspended.

"I don't feel like I should be," Joyce said. "It wasn't like I went up and chest-bumped him. If anything I may have brushed him, but it wasn't on purpose."

MISCELLANY: Saturday's game was not included on Sun Sports' schedule and won't be added but is being shown by MLB Network. … INF/OF Russ Canzler got his first major-league hit. … DH Johnny Damon got his 2,717th, moving into 58th place all time, four shy of Lou Gehrig. … Maddon said RHP James Shields would probably start Monday against the Yankees, with RHP Jeremy Hellickson getting the extra day's rest.

Sports in Brief

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Times wires
Thursday, September 22, 2011

NBA

Report: Training camp canceled

NEW YORK — The NBA will cancel training camps and some preseason games today after failing to reach a new collective bargaining agreement with its players, the Associated Press reported. Camps were expected to open Oct. 3 with games starting Oct. 9. The regular season is set to start Nov. 1.

But the cancellations became unavoidable after Thursday's meeting between players and owners failed to end the lockout, which began July 1. Talks are not expected to resume until next week. While providing no details of the meeting, commissioner David Stern said "the calendar is not our friend" when it comes to keeping the season intact. Union president Derek Fisher of the Lakers used nearly the same words: "The calendar's, obviously, not our friend. But we're not going to give up on the process because of the time."

The league is at about the same point as when it postponed camps in 1998, the only time it lost games to a work stoppage. The decision for camps set to begin Oct. 5 came Sept. 24.

Bryant accused: San Diego prosecutors are reviewing allegations by a man that Lakers star Kobe Bryant injured him in a scuffle at a church last month. Police say Bryant apparently believed the man was taking his picture with a cellphone and took the phone from him. The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, went to a hospital for treatment of an injured wrist. Bryant has denied the allegations.

Blazers: C Marcus Camby was arrested for marijuana possession Monday, Houston police said. According to the police report, he was pulled over for an "equipment violation" and the officer smelled marijuana. Camby, 37, was free on $2,000 bond, and an arraignment hasn't been scheduled.

WNBA

Indiana wins opener of East final by 12

Tangela Smith scored 25 to lead host Indiana past Atlanta 82-74 in Game 1 of the East final. Game 2 is Sunday in Atlanta. … Seimone Augustus scored 21 to lead host Minnesota past Phoenix 95-67 in Game 1 of the West final. Game 2 is Sunday in Phoenix.

MVP: Indiana F Tamika Catchings, the runnerup the past two years, won it. She was among the top 10 in scoring (15.5), rebounding (7.1) and assists (3.5).

Boxing

Bribes allegedly paid for Azerbaijan golds

The international governing body will investigate a BBC report that millions of dollars have been paid to guarantee Azerbaijan wins two gold medals at next year's London Olympics. AIBA president Ching-Kuo Wu said the allegations were "totally untrue and ludicrous."

Swimming

Nyad to again try Florida Straits swim

Cuban authorities said American Diana Nyad plans a second attempt at swimming across the Florida Straits between Havana and Key West. An announcement is set for today. Nyad, 62, failed last month.

Et cetera

Track: A federal appeals panel took nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis off a New Jersey state Senate ballot, finding he does not meet the state's four-year residency requirement. The ruling came nine days after the same three-judge panel said Lewis, 50, should be on the ballot. Lewis' lawyer said he has not decided about appealing, but ballots are about to go to the printer.

Horses: Big Bad John held off Roll With Joe down the stretch to win the Little Brown Jug, the second leg of pacing's Triple Crown, in Delaware, Ohio.

Times wires

Vick cleared, returns to practice

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles quarterback Michael Vick returned to practice Thursday, just four days after he suffered a concussion against the Falcons.

During the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Vick was seen throwing passes to assistant coaches, jogging and participating in all the drills that the other quarterbacks — Mike Kafka and Vince Young — participated in.

The Eagles announced after practice that Vick was a full participant with no restrictions. "He looked good, he looked fine," receiver Jeremy Maclin said.

Vick's participation showed that he has been cleared by the NFL-appointed independent neurologist, required under league policy.

Marijuana tracked to Bengal player's house

CINCINNATI — For authorities tracking a marijuana shipment from California, the trail ended at the northern Kentucky home of Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson, where police say they found more drugs.

No arrests have been made, but police are still investigating the case involving a package containing 2½ pounds of marijuana that was accepted by a woman at Simpson's home.

Simpson, 25, was at his home with his girlfriend and teammate Anthony Collins, said Michelle Gregory, a spokeswoman with the California Department of Justice. A search of Simpson's home also turned up 6 more pounds of marijuana, smoking pipes and scales, authorities said. "We believe there's some sort of distribution or sales out of his home," Gregory said.

More Bengals: Running back Cedric Benson, who served five days in Texas jail to settle two misdemeanor assault cases, could face a three-game suspension for player-conduct violations during the lockout, but he will have his appeal heard first, ESPN.com reported. He is expected to play this week .

Romo healing: Quarterback Tony Romo (broken ribs, punctured lung) mostly watched practice, but teammates believe he could start against the Redskins. "I fully expect him to play," said Jon Kitna, the backup who would start.

Broncos: Former Gator Tim Tebow insists he will be a starting quarterback someday, but for now he will line up wherever the coaches let him. He was pressed into receiver duty last week because of injuries to others. "Well, I want to be a quarterback. I believe I can be; I believe I will be," he said. " … But if I can help the team in another way, that's what I'm here for."

Chargers: The league fined defensive tackle Antonio Garay $15,000 for hitting Patriots quarterback Tom Brady below the knee, ESPN.com reported.

Falcons: Quarterback Matt Ryan (left knee) was limited for the second straight day at practice, and backup Chris Redman took snaps with the starters.

49ers: Quarterback Alex Smith said he has no lingering effects from a concussion and expects to start Sunday.

Giants: Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell would neither deny nor confirm that he has instructed his players to fake injuries to slow down an opposing offense. The Rams accused the Giants of feigning injuries Monday. "I can't say I've ever done that, and I can't say that I haven't done that," he said. The league warned teams could face fines, suspensions and loss of draft picks if the league determines players faked injuries.

Seahawks: Defensive end Raheem Brock tweeted that he was fined $15,000 for a low hit on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but he has filed an appeal.

Vikings: Receiver Percy Harvin missed practice because he was ill, likely a stomach virus, not a migraine. The former Gator, who has battled migraines since he was 10, is expected back today.

Retiring: Former Pro Bowl tackle Jon Stinchcomb, released by the Saints during camp, said he is retiring at age 31.


Up next races on major auto circuits

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Times wires
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Sprint Cup

What: Sylvania 300

When/where: Today, practice (ESPN2, 11:30 a.m.), qualifying (ESPN2, 3 p.m.); Saturday, practice (Speed, 11:30 a.m.); Sunday, race (ESPN, 2 p.m.); Loudon, N.H.

Fast facts: In July at the track, Ryan Newman raced to his lone victory of the year so far, holding off boss and teammate Tony Stewart. … Stewart opened the 10-race Chase for the Championship last week with his first victory of the season and 40th overall, conserving fuel and holding off Kevin Harvick in the rain-delayed Chicagoland race.

Standings: 1. Harvick, 2,054; 2. Stewart, 2,047; 3. Carl Edwards, 2,044; 4. Kurt Busch, 2,043; 5. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2,041; 6. Brad Keselowski and Newman, 2,040; 8. Jimmie Johnson, 2,038; 9 Kyle Busch, 2,035; 10. Matt Kenseth, 2,030; 11. Jeff Gordon, 2,029; 12. Denny Hamlin, 2,013

Trucks

What: F.W. Webb 175

When/where: Today, practice; Saturday, qualifying, race, (Speed, 3 p.m.); Loudon, N.H.

Fast facts: Kyle Busch leads the series with five victories in 13 starts. … German Quiroga, the two-time defending NASCAR Mexico series champion, makes his trucks debut in Kyle Busch Motorsports' No. 51 Toyota.

Standings: 1. James Buescher, 621; 2. Austin Dillon, 618; 3. Johnny Sauter, 615; 4. Timothy Peters, 601; 5. Ron Hornaday, 574.

Formula One

What: Singapore Grand Prix

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 9:30 a.m.); Saturday, practice, qualifying (Speed, 10 a.m.); Sunday, race (Speed, 8 a.m.); Singapore

Fast facts: Sebastian Vettel said Thursday he's not feeling pressure to clinch the title at Singapore and he will attack the race with his normal aggressive style. Vettel is almost guaranteed of successfully defending his title, and if he takes 13 more points than Fernando Alonso in Singapore, he will win the championship with five races to go. … The race is the series' lone night event.

Standings: 1. Vettel, 284; 2. Alonso, 172; 3. Jenson Button and Mark Webber, 167; 5. Lewis Hamilton, 158

NHRA

What: Texas Fall Nationals

When/where: Today, qualifying; Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 1:15 a.m. Sunday); Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, 7 p.m.); Ennis, Texas

Fast facts: The event is the second in the six-race Countdown. The top 10 drivers in each class qualified for the playoffs.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Antron Brown, 2,187; 2. Spencer Massey, 2,171. Funny Car — 1. Mike Neff, 2,209; 2. Matt Hagan, 2,187. Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line, 2,186; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,155. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 2,237; 2. Karen Stoffer, 2,174

Nationwide

Next: OneMain Financial 200, Oct. 1, Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del.

Standings: 1. Ricky Stenhouse, 986; 2. Elliott Sadler, 972; 3. Reed Sorenson, 939; 4. Aric Almirola, 922; 5. Justin Allgaier, 905

IndyCar

Next: Kentucky Indy 300, Oct. 2, Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, Ky.

Standings: 1. Will Power, 542; 2. Dario Franchitti, 531; 3. Scott Dixon, 483; 4. Oriol Servia, 397; 5. Tony Kanaan, 353

Athletics 4, Rangers 3

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Times wires
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Athletics 4, Rangers 3

OAKLAND, Calif. — Coco Crisp hit a go-ahead single in the eighth as the A's avoided a sweep. The reigning AL champion Rangers went in with a magic number of three to clinch a second straight West Division crown. Texas headed home for three games with the Mariners before ending the regular season at second-place Los Angeles.

Mets 8, Cardinals 6

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Times wires
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Mets 8, Cardinals 6

ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals blew a four-run lead in the ninth and hurt its NL wild-card hopes when shortstop Rafael Furcal misplayed a potential double-play grounder.

Glum Bosox just hoping to hold on

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Times wires
Thursday, September 22, 2011

BOSTON — The pitching is in shambles. The hitting is spotty. And the defense?

The Red Sox are dropping the ball there, too.

In less than three weeks they've blundered their way from a smooth ride to the playoffs to a bumpy trip toward a spot on the list of historic collapses. And somehow during their wacky September, they still have the inside track on a postseason berth.

But boy, what a way to go.

"I've been here, what, nine years? We've never collapsed that bad," said DH David Ortiz, his room-brightening smile replaced by a blank stare. "We've been through some tough times, (but) it's bad. No matter what we do, things are going to be bad."

The freefall began Sept. 4 when the Red Sox began play with a nine-game lead over the Rays in the American League wild-card race and a half-game deficit in the East standings to the Yankees.

Since then they are 4-14. They lead the Rays by two games and the Angels by three for the wild-card spot. The Yankees clinched the division title Wednesday night.

Boston got a break from the misery on a Thursday with a day off while the Rays and Angels played. But the Red Sox must go into Yankee Stadium for the start of a three-game series tonight before finishing with three in Baltimore.

"Nobody's going to lay down for us. Nobody's going to hand us any wins," captain and C Jason Varitek said. "We've got to go out there and get it on our own."

BEATING VICTIM IMPROVES: Family members of a Giants fan who was brutally beaten outside Dodger Stadium said he is speaking and more responsive than ever since his attack nearly six months ago. The family of Bryan Stow posted the update on its website, support4bryanstow.com, saying his latest improvements came a week after he received a shunt to relieve pressure on his brain.

CARDS RETAIN BERKMAN: OF Lance Berkman agreed to a $12 million contract, giving the Cardinals a valuable bat for 2012. Berkman, 35, is completing a big comeback season, with a .300 average, a .412 on-base percentage and a .555 slugging percentage.

MARLINS: Closer Leo Nunez went on baseball's restricted list and returned to his native Dominican Republic to attend to personal matters. Nunez has been playing under an assumed name, the Associated Press reported.

RANGERS: RH reliever Mark Lowe returned to Arlington to have his injured left hamstring examined by team physician Keith Meister. Also, RH reliever Michael Gonzalez flew home because of an illness that wasn't considered serious.

YANKEES: LHP CC Sabathia, who fell short of his 20th victory Wednesday against the Rays, won't get another start before the postseason, manager Joe Girardi said. The Yankees finish the season with three games at Tampa Bay.

Orioles 6, Tigers 5

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Times wires
Thursday, September 22, 2011

Orioles 6, Tigers 5

DETROIT — J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones homered, and Baltimore ruined Detroit's homecoming. Back after a road trip during which they clinched their first division title since 1987, the Tigers received a standing ovation when they took the field for the first inning. The crowd of 28,847, though, was the smallest at Comerica Park since June 29.

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